Marlboro Board Of Education Election 2024: Danielle Bellomo

MARLBORO, NJ — Marlboro’s general election on Nov. 5 has six candidates running for three open seats on the Marlboro Board of Education.

Incumbent Danielle Bellomo is running for one of three seats on the board with Gill Iny and Aldo Patruno. Opposing candidates include Brian Cohen, Nirav Kadakia and Jenna Corraro.

Are you running for the Board of Education in Marlboro? Contact Sara Winick at sara.winick@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Marlboro Patch.

Danielle Bellomo

Age: 37
Town of residence: Marlboro
Education: University of Delaware, Bachelor’s of Arts
Occupation: Stay-at-home mom of three MTPS students

What drove you to seek public office?
My passion for education and the well-being of all children motivated me to seek public office. I wanted to be a voice for parents and ensure our schools reflect the values and priorities that matter most to our community.

I take a true "boots on the ground" approach to parenting, which means I spend countless hours volunteering in our schools and community, dedicating myself to the success and development of Marlboro's children.

This hands-on experience gives me a unique perspective that I bring back to the board, providing insights only someone deeply involved in MTPS schools can offer.

As a dedicated mother of three and a current Board of Education member, I am deeply committed to the Marlboro community and its schools. Over the years, I have worked tirelessly to enhance the educational experience in Marlboro by serving as PTO President at Dugan Elementary, coaching various sports teams, and leading Girl Scout troops.

I earned my bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware and have leveraged my marketing background to successfully fundraise for numerous school community initiatives. My passion for parental rights and academic excellence drives my campaign for election.

I am focused on protecting our children by ensuring that age-appropriate content is presented across grades K-8, while keeping core subjects and quality learning as top priorities in our district.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?
My deep involvement in the community as a mother with children in the district, along with my extensive experience in the PTO, sets me apart.

I have a proven track record of advocating for parental rights and maintaining a strong focus on education in our district. I've devoted countless hours to this district and take my role as a board member very seriously.

With nearly perfect attendance at all committee meetings, participation in four negotiating teams, and chairing a committee — all within my first year — I've demonstrated my dedication to Marlboro.

Additionally, I'm the only board member to fully engage in professional development, far exceeding the required training hours in areas like school law, policy, AI in education, and school safety.

I've attended multiple voluntary day and overnight training workshops to acquire as much knowledge as possible during my time on the board. As a stay-at-home mom, I am fortunate to have the time to fully dedicate myself to this position, and I believe my actions over the past year reflect my unwavering commitment.

What do you see as the biggest issue facing Marlboro, and how will you resolve it?
The biggest issue facing Marlboro is addressing the learning loss from the pandemic. I plan to prioritize core academic subjects and work closely with educators to develop effective strategies that help our students recover and thrive.

Maintaining local control over decisions for our school district and minimizing state involvement is essential to shaping Marlboro students into strong, independent thinkers and future leaders. It is our duty to uphold the standard of education our community expects.

I support using common assessments developed and administered by our exceptional teachers and staff, and I will continue to advocate for local control of our schools, ensuring state oversight does not derail the important work being done in MTPS.

What are past accomplishments or experiences that make you qualified for this position?
My eight years of active participation in local PTAs and leadership roles, including serving as PTO President, combined with my career in marketing and the extensive professional development I have undertaken as a school board member, have equipped me with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of educational policy and advocate effectively for our children.

Name one thing about Marlboro that always makes you smile.
The sense of community in Marlboro always makes me smile.

Seeing families come together at school events and knowing we all share a commitment to our children’s education is truly heartwarming.